Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses
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It is unclear what causes chronic pain in traumatically injured hospitalized adults. A total of 101 patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center completed interviews during their inpatient stay and at 4 months, and data on biologic, psychologic, and sociologic variables were collected. Statistical analysis used hierarchical logistical regression,χ, and independent-samples t tests. ⋯ Those with chronic pain at 4 months had more posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. High initial pain score was the only significant predictor of chronic pain. Initial pain intensity predicts chronic pain.
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The objectives of this study were to provide population-based incidence estimate of abusive head trauma (AHT) in children aged 0 to 5 years from inpatient and emergency department (ED) and identify risk characteristics for recognizing high-risk children to improve public health surveillance. ⋯ Incidence estimates of AHT are incomplete without including ED. Intracranial bleeding is a cardinal feature of AHT to be considered in case ascertainment to improve public health surveillance.
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A review on the role of open reduction and internal fixation of flail chest injuries is presented. A 37-year-old woman involved in a motorcycle crash sustained comminuted rib fractures on her right 3rd through 12th ribs. ⋯ Further studies are needed to definitively determine the benefits of rib plating versus conventional treatment. Through our case, we are able to demonstrate successful management of pain and chest wall instability associated with flail chest through the use of rib plating.
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Despite successful implementation of an electronic medical record (EMR) by many health care organizations, information regarding EMR for trauma resuscitation is limited, and few have created reports that facilitate trauma registry data abstraction, performance improvement reviews, and provider care requirements. In October 2010, our organization implemented an EMR for trauma resuscitations. ⋯ Median monthly documentation completion improved from 82% to a sustained median score of 96.5% for the past 603 activations. Documentation compliance enabled the development of succinct reports that facilitate our internal needs and supported our trauma center reverification site visit.